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Empowering Dreams and Building Careers:
Thanaa 's Story

The creator economy is on the rise and is gaining momentum with each passing year. With a wealth of digital tools at our fingertips, there is a world of opportunities. For many women balancing busy lives, content creation has proven to be a lucrative source of income that fits with their lifestyles. Students from our YouTube Entrepreneurship course at the Immigrants Working Centre (IWC) are bringing their creative talents to the digital world and are on the path to building thriving careers.

About the Program  


The YouTube Entrepreneurship program is an empowering initiative for senior women-identifying immigrants, led by IWC’s Community Connections department. It’s an opportunity for women to enhance their digital literacy skills while also supporting the growth of their entrepreneurial talents. The program is an opportunity to build income from home and is a flexible alternative to traditional a 9-to-5 jobs.

The program was made possible through the generous support of key funders, including the City of Hamilton’s City Enrichment Fund (CEF), Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), and the Rob McCann Family Foundation. 

The vision to empower senior women and unlock their potential was central to the creation of key partnerships, including significant support from Hamilton Own Women (HOW). 

"HOW is a group of active, talented racialized women in Hamilton. Recognizing the need for a supportive community, they partnered with IWC and secured funding through the City of Hamilton Enrichment Fund (CEF), making this program possible."

— Suad Badri, Leader & Co-Founder of HOW

The Program in Action

The IWC YouTube Entrepreneurship Program included ten hands-on workshops, each lasting three hours. These workshops supported participants in building essential skills in computer literacy, project management, marketing, and business operations. In addition, skill-building sessions on CAPCUT software and video editing techniques were provided, helping students better develop their own personalized YouTube channels! 

The group had the freedom to select a niche of their choice. With some interested in cooking, language, fashion, fragrance and vlogging, each participant had the opportunity to choose a niche that was unique to them. 

The program provided various visits to educational sites, including the Hamilton Public Library and CHCH TV station. Inspired by the live kitchen studio at CHCH, Thanaa A. decided to share her talent for Syrian cooking with the world. 

Thanaa’s Journey 

Originally from Syria, Thanaa believes in the importance of nourishing food and the joy that comes from creating meals that are both healthy and full of love, whether enjoyed solo or shared with family. 

When Thanaa joined the YouTube Entrepreneurship Program, she seized the opportunity to pursue a path where her passion lies. Focused on sharing her years of experience in home cooking, she aimed to bring her cultural heritage to life. Whether she’s sharing tips to help folks sharpen their cooking skills, exploring the richness of Syrian cuisine or offering quick and simple recipes, Thanaa’s unique cooking style covers it all.  

With that, Thanaa enrolled in the IWC’s YouTube Entrepreneurship Program, starting her mission with determination and growing enthusiasm each day. 

According to Thanaa, IWC provides an exceptional learning environment and an opportunity to pursue one’s passion. Surrounded by a dedicated team, she not only received the necessary guidance to succeed in the course but also felt a sense of security and support that allowed her to confidently chase her dreams.

“I’d advise anyone with a passion to success to join this program and the IWC—they offer the support you need, and even the small acts of kindness, like offering coffee, tea, and sometimes breakfast to students, made all the difference."

— Thanaa A., Participant from IWC's YouTube Entrepreneurship program

 

Even after graduation, the instructors continue to offer their continued mentorship, parting ways with their students but remaining available for guidance. Wasan Mohamad, Director of IWC’s Community Connections program shares, 

 

"As much as we trust our students to make the right choices moving forward, we’ll always be here to offer support and guidance. The YouTube channels and content our students worked so hard to create are unique, weaving their passion and creativity into something truly special for the market."

— Wasan Mohamad, Director of IWC’s Community Connections program

Suad Badri, also shared her pride in the accomplishments of all participants: “I am very proud of our students for their success in completing the YouTube Enterprise Training for Racialized Women in Hamilton (Sept-Nov 2024) and for showcasing their individual YouTube channels at the graduation ceremony.”  

This collective success is a product of the hard work, dedication, and creativity of each student. Thanaa, along with the rest of the participants, graduated with pride, ready to continue their journeys toward success, supported by the foundation they’ve built throughout the program. 

Interested in checking out Thanaa’s YouTube channel? Check out her latest videos below and discover the flavors of Syria!

There’s a world to discover with the range of content produced by the women in the Program. View Thanaa ‘s and all the other graduates’ channels here: 

The IWC offers many inspiring programs to help you pursue your dreams. Looking to explore similar opportunities? 

Feel free to contact us at admain@iwchamilton.ca or call 905-529-5209.  We’re here to support you as you take the next step in your journey!

 

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